The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart for Bangkok, Thailand, tomorrow (September 8) to attend the 3rd ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultations meeting to be held on September 9.

Mr Yau and the participating ASEAN economic ministers will discuss the progress of the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN. He will also meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Mr Jurin Laksanawisit, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dato' Lim Jock Hoi, separately on the sidelines of the meeting.

Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the evening on September 9. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr Yau's absence.